Biohack Academy documentation Living systems

What is it? — Systems and tools to partially influence the growth process with room for unexpected outcome. A balance between completely random and fully controlled. What does it do? – Research ways to use biological material that shape the design and skeletton of typography. This in which the shape isn't determined by me but by the material itself. Why? – My graduation is about living systems that alter the skeleton or design of a letter and evolving it into type. In my work I'm always looking/searching for rules and systems that can generate dynamic results. Our alphabet is an ancient system and we are conditioned with it. We are used to it, aware of it, and it is a familiar set of symbols for communication.In my project I'm trying to let the biological material engineer this system of fixed rules.

I see this as a undoing project, it will be a journey for the development of several experiments.

What can be improved?
- Variation in shape
- Variation and diversity technique
- Pragmatic documentation
- Focus (I do many things together)
- Prediction of the material

I'm doing a lot of things at the same time right now, I can't concentrate long on a specific experiment. I am reaching the way how I can deal with the shaping new materials.

Questions I should ask?
- What are the rules?
- What am I doing finally with the form?
- Should our Latin alphabet be the basic, the starting point or the purpose?
- Can living material create a new alphabet(, with it's own shape)?
- Do I really want to create a new alphabet?

Expiriments

Growing grid

For me is a grid a set of rules with different dynamic outcomes. For this experiment, I tried to infiltrate grid in petri dishes, Where bacteria and fungi may be able to grow through it. The initial idea is that bacteria can grow towards each other in the grid of the Petri dish.

Grid - Experiment 1, 3d printed 3d grid.

After 3d printing I discovered that I can buy it for 1 euro. Indeed, it is almost exactly the same as bottom plates for ironing beads.

This grid is made up in a circle, so the form has limitations.
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Fig5. - Grid in MRS agarFig5. - Grid in MRS agarFig5. - Grid in MRS agarFig5. - Under the microscope 40x Fig5. - Under the microscope 40x Fig5. - After .. days

Grid - Experiment 3

Fig5. - glue from agar

Because of the air bubble in 'experiment 2' I generate a thin layer of agar, where the grid bottom plate can stick to

Fig5. - second layer of agarFig5. - Contaminated with something that looks like Bacillus mycoides . It looks like a k.

Interpretation cover

For this experiment I created a set of tools.

Fig5. - Covers for petri dishes

For my first experiment I tried to test different kind of ways. It is a paradox because it seems like a solid form. Ik hoop dat de uitkomst niet een op een is.

What are rhizoid colonies?

Janthinobacterium lividum

Janthinobacterium lividum Janthinobacterium lividum is an aerobic, gram-negative, soil-dwelling bacterium that has a distinctive dark-violet (almost black) color. This color is due to a compound called violacein, which is produced when glycerol is metabolized as a carbon source. Violacein has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties. Its anti-fungal properties are of particular interest since J. lividum is found on the skin of certain amphibians, including the red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus), where it prevents infection by the devastating chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis).[2]

Massilia aurea and Janthinobacterium lividum are both bacteria that can be found in soils. In 2006, Massilia aura was isolated from drinking water in Seville, Spain. It is a relatively novel type of bacteria, so little has been published about it. Massilia aurea are gram-negative bacteria that form yellow, circular colonies1. Janthinobacterium lividm are gram negative bacteria that form purple-black, rod-shaped colonies. In addition to being found in the soil, they can also exist in spoiled milk. Janthinobacterium lividum can, in rare cases, cause septicemia in humans2, which is a life-threatening reaction to bacterial infections in the body. The death rate for some septicemia infections can be as high as 50%3. However, this bacteria also creates the pigment violacein, which causes its purple color. Violacein is toxic to bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi. Janthinobacterium lividum also creates three other antibiotics that are effective against both gram negative and gram positive bacteria, and it is resistant to ß-lactam antibiotics2.

Special day! Company in The Hague promised to send me sclerotium culture of slime mold!

Special day! I received the package from Carolina!

Basics tips for using sterile technique

1. Wipe lab benches down with 70% isopropyl alcohol before and after working with slime mold.

2. Use sterile forceps when transferring slime mold or food. Forceps can be wrapped in
foil and sterilized in an autoclave or can be sprayed with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Never
touch a surface with forceps or allow a sterilized instrument to be exposed to air
longer than necessary. Sterilize forceps after use.

3. Never remove the lid of a Petri dish and place that lid on a lab bench surface. Always
open plates by using one hand to crack and hold the lid, giving just enough space to
work (with the other hand), while allowing as little air as possible into the dish.

Agar plates

98 mLs of water and 2 grams of agar in a beaker until it boils. It should cool slightly before pouring into plastic plates. This recipe is enough for three to four plates. After the agar is cooled, a small square of slime mold and a flake of oatmeal can be added.

Skinner. P. Collaboration via Slime Mold Virginia Tech. August 2011.

Condities

Slime molds will grow well at room temperature or in a 25°C incubator.